New Brunswick road tolls will cost jobs and hurt Island families: Fox

BORDEN-CARLETON
- Opposition
Leader Jamie Fox is calling on Premier Wade MacLauchlan to fight against
proposed road tolls in New Brunswick that will cause more job losses and hurt
Island families.

“The
Premier needs to fight against road tolls in New Brunswick that will cost Island
jobs, hurt families going to the mainland for health care and weaken our
exports. At a time when our economy is bleeding jobs we don’t need to be putting
more Island jobs at risk," said Fox.

As
part of the New Brunswick government’s pre-budget exercise a series of tax and
spending measures were suggested for public feedback in advance of their budget
being tabled on February 2nd. Among the tax measures proposed are
plans for road tolls throughout New Brunswick at border points, around major
municipalities and at high traffic locations throughout the province.

“Road
tolls on New Brunswick roads would be an extra tax on Islanders when we already
have to pay to go to the mainland, especially Islanders who have to travel for
medical services. Our exports are mainly trucked through New Brunswick to
markets across North America. Road tolls in New Brunswick will drive up the cost
of Island export goods, cost more Island jobs and penalize Islanders needing
health services," said Fox.